Legal Services Program Attorney

Haldren Group•Fresno, CA

8d•$85,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Our client is building a new legal services function and is seeking attorneys at two experience levels. Early-career applicants with 0-3 years of experience and more established practitioners with 2-5+ years of experience are encouraged to apply. Candidates should clearly state their experience level in their application. The Central Valley Empowerment Alliance (CVEA) is a grassroots 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019. From its base in Poplar, California, the organization serves rural farmworker communities across Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern counties. CVEA believes that people who experience community challenges firsthand are best positioned to shape the solutions. This community-directed philosophy is known within the organization as Radical Love. Following its successful advocacy for a statewide legal services initiative, CVEA received grant funding to create a legal department from the beginning. Rather than stepping into a mature practice with established systems, the successful attorneys will help determine how the department operates, supports clients, and advances justice throughout the Central Valley. The Senior Attorney will join the leadership team, report to the Executive Director, and take the lead in developing the legal department. The junior-level Attorney will initially report to the Director of Organizing & Programs and may later report to the Senior Attorney. Both positions will partner with community organizers, state agencies, and legal coalitions, including California Rural Legal Assistance and Central California Legal Services.

Requirements

Current membership in good standing with the California State Bar, without relevant disciplinary action.
Professional or lived experience demonstrating a commitment to racial, economic, and immigrant justice.
Full spoken and written fluency in English and Spanish.
Ability to conduct effective legal research and produce high-quality legal writing.
Willingness to travel into communities and perform field-based work, including occasional evening and weekend activities scheduled around community availability.
Current residence within 60 minutes of Tulare County or a willingness to relocate to the area.

Nice To Haves

0-3 years of experience involving labor and employment law, workers’ rights advocacy, or another social justice-focused legal field. (For the Attorney (Junior Level))
Experience with a legal case management platform such as Justice Space, Salesforce, or a comparable system. (For the Attorney (Junior Level))
Personal experience within rural, immigrant, or low-wage communities. (For the Attorney (Junior Level))
Knowledge of trauma-informed legal service delivery and non-punitive approaches to client intake. (For the Attorney (Junior Level))
2-5+ years of experience involving labor and employment law, workers’ rights, housing, immigration, or another social justice practice. (For the Senior Attorney)
Experience guiding, mentoring, or supervising attorneys or other team members. (For the Senior Attorney)
Demonstrated experience working in partnership with organizers and community organizations, rather than delivering isolated legal representation. (For the Senior Attorney)
Exposure to multiple social justice areas, including employment, housing, immigration, civil rights, or health law. (For the Senior Attorney)
Proven experience overseeing grant obligations, establishing programs, or leading a department. (For the Senior Attorney)
Experience using case management software. (Valued for Both Levels)
Fluency in Mixteco, Tagalog, Ilocano, Zapoteco, Hmong, or another additional language. (Valued for Both Levels)
Capacity to coach and develop community advocates who do not hold attorney qualifications. (Valued for Both Levels)
A clear five-year perspective on how justice-centered legal services could develop across the Central Valley. (Valued for Both Levels)

Responsibilities

Prepare outreach materials and legal education resources in partnership with relevant teams.
Organize and deliver 6-12 community-based legal clinics and pop-up services each year.
Lead no fewer than 11 Know Your Rights / Workers’ Rights workshops.
Lead individual and class action litigation in state and federal courts, covering research, case strategy, drafting, and trial.
Provide 50-75 consultations and direct legal representation over a 24-month period, primarily addressing wage theft, workplace health and safety violations, retaliation, and leave protections.
Identify recurring legal concerns and determine which matters may support wider organizing efforts or create broader impact.
Manage administrative complaints and claims involving the DLSE, Cal/OSHA, and other state bodies.
Maintain complete client confidentiality while using trauma-informed legal practices.
Refer clients to additional services available through internal programs and external community partners.
Contribute grant-related information and take part in monthly progress meetings.
Build the department’s client intake procedures, referral routes, and legal service processes from the ground up.
Participate in coalition meetings with state agencies and legal service partners as a representative of CVEA.
Guide and support paralegals and community advocates who are not attorneys.
At the senior level, counsel the Executive Director regarding funding plans, department expansion, and organizational legal matters.
At the senior level, undertake other legal responsibilities assigned by the organization.

Benefits

A 401(k) retirement plan.
Dental and vision insurance.
A generous leave package.
Basic life insurance.
A cell phone stipend.
Medical insurance, with the employer covering 80% of the lowest-cost plan. Employees may select an upgraded plan and pay the difference.
Relocation assistance may be available depending on individual circumstances and will be discussed on a case-by-case basis

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